TV Moms Through the Decades

1960s – Someone who wakes up early with a smile on her face. Think Donna Reed and June Cleaver. Makes breakfast for her children and husband. Makes lunches for her children and husband. Hands her husband his briefcase and sends him off to work with a kiss. Walks the kids to the bus stop. Cleans the house while wearing a nice dress with an apron. Prepares dinner. Meets the kids at the bus stop. Greets her husband with a smile and a cocktail. Cooks dinner. Cleans the kitchen. Goes with to bed with a smile on her face. Wakes up the next day and does it all over again. She may have an opinion but the mom of the fifties and sixties understood that Father Knew Best.

I think – No Way could I be that kind of mom. Well, maybe the staying home part without the apron.

1970s – As we moved into this decade, the big D became recognized. Think Bonnie Franklin as Ann Romano. A single mom raising two girls. She did all of the above minus the husband. Thank God for that handyman who lived in the building!

I think – I could maybe do what she did, especially what she did behind closed doors with the handyman.

1980s – Now, sometimes the father worked at home and the mom went outside for her job. As Maggie Malone did in Growing Pains. But still, mom did most of the housework after she came home from her “other” job. No rest for her. Not only didn’t she get paid for her housework duties, her pay outside the home was less than that of her male co-workers.

I think – I was that mom.

1990s– Ah…Roseanne. One of my favorite TV moms of all time. The Conners were a blue collar family where both parents worked outside the home in order to make ends meet. And Roseanne met my expectations of a great mom. She could make me cry and laugh at the same time.

I think – I wish had some of Roseanne’s chutzpah.

2000s-Today’s TV moms aren’t even fictional anymore. The camera has moved into the homes of real families such as The Duggars with their 19 Kids and Counting, The Kardashians, and all those “real” housewives of every city in America.

I think – I’m glad I’m not those moms.

And I think that the mom of today would tell that mom of 1950 what she probably knew all along…Mother Knows Best!

But no matter how much mom has changed from 1950 to the present, she is still the center of the family. The one the kids turn to for help and understanding. The one who takes care of the family pet, makes sure there is always those favorite cookies in the pantry and clean clothes in the closet. The one that always has her shoulder available for a good cry, her arms ready for a hug, and her heart ready to accept this roller coaster ride called motherhood.

I think – I’m glad I am a mother and that I have such a wonderful mother in my life.

HAPPY MOTHER‘S DAY to all you moms out there!